Mulberries, Morus spp., grow in different growing regions of Turkey with a high diversity providing an opportunity to select superior accessions. The goal of the study was to determine the differences in phytochemical components and horticultural characteristics between white and black mulberry accessions in the Igdir province. Fruits of black and white mulberries collected from Igdir province were assayed for various horticultural characteristics including berry width, berry length, berry weight, and berry peduncle length. Samples were also assayed for vitamin C, organic acids (citric, tartaric, malic, succinic, and fumaric), sugars (glucose and fructose), phenolic acids (catechin, rutin, quercetin, chlorogenic, ferulic, o-coumaric, p-coumaric, caffeic, syringic, vanillic, and gallic acids), and antioxidant capacity [Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assay]. Differences (P < 0.05) were noted between accessions in berry length and berry weight. Malic acid was found to be the predominant organic acid regardless of species. Rutin (for black mulberry) and chlorogenic acid (for white mulberry) were the predominant phenolic acids. Black mulberry had higher glucose and fructose content than white mulberry. Analysis showed that black mulberry had higher content of tartaric acid, malic acid, TEAC, fructose, glucose, catechin, rutin, quercetin, o-coumaric acid, and caffeic acid compared with white mulberry (P < 0.01); however, white mulberry had higher content of succinic acid, vitamin C, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, syringic acid, and gallic acid (P < 0.01). Our results provide a reference for further studies of mulberry fruits in detection of organic acids, sugars, antioxidant capacity, and phenolic compounds. Also, it is clear that we need standardized testing, extraction, and analysis protocols to compare genotypes grown in different countries.

Mulberries (Morus spp) are historically grown in particular microclimatic regions in Eastern Anatolia, including Aras valley. In the valley, mulberries are one of the ancient crop and used for several purposes by local people. The aim of the present study was to first time evaluate organic acids, sugars, vitamin C, antioxidant capacity (TEAC assay, Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity). and phenolic compounds of the historical black and white mulberry genotypes growing Aras valley in Turkey. Results showed that, species and genotypes strongly influenced the chemical content and antioxidant capacity (p<0.05). Malic acid was the main organic acid in all genotypes and ranged from 1.130 to 3.040 g/100 g. Among sugars, fructose and glucose are predominant and were between 4.177 and 7.700 g/100g and 5.337 and 8.573 g/100g in all mulberry genotypes, respectively. The black mulberry genotypes showed remarkably higher antioxidant capacity determined by TEAC assay (10.167 to 14.400 µ mol TE/g) compared to white mulberry genotypes (6.170 to 9.273 µmol TE/g). Chlorogenic acid and rutin was the main phenolic compound.

Turkey is the main apricot producer in the world and apricots have been produced under both dry and irrigated conditions in the country. In this study, phenolic compounds and vitamins in fruits of one wild (Zerdali) and three main apricot cultivars (‘Cataloglu’, ‘Hacihaliloglu’ and ‘Kabaasi’) grown in both dry and irrigated conditions in Malatya provinces in Turkey were investigated. The findings indicated that higher content of phenolic compounds and vitamins was found in apricot fruits grown in irrigated conditions. Among the cultivars, ‘Cataloglu’ had the highest rutin contents both in irrigated and dry farming conditions as 2855 μg in irrigated and 6952 μg per 100 g dried weight base in dry conditions and the highest chlorogenic acid content in irrigated and dry farming conditions were measured in fruits of ‘Hacıhaliloglu’ cultivar as 7542 μg and 15251 μg per 100 g dried weight base. Vitamin C contents in homogenates of fruit flesh and skin was found to be higher than β-caroten, retinol, vitamin E and lycopen contents in apricot fruits both in irrigated and dry farming conditions. The results suggested that apricot fruits grown in both dry and irrigated conditions had high health benefits phytochemicals and phytochemical content varied among cultivars and irrigation conditions as well. However, more detailed biological and pharmacological studies are needed for the demonstration and clarification of health benefits of apricot fruits.

This study aimed at determination of vitamin (A, E, C, β-carotene, and lycopene), phenolic, and flavonoid contents in apricots at different stages of ripening using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The effect of ripening in terms of phytochemical contents was investigated. Early period apricots showed 2.5 to three times higher level of vitamins (A, E, C, and β-carotene, and lycopene) in all types of apricots than others ( P < 0.05). Early-ripened cultivar, Boccuia, showed the highest level of vitamins, although a higher level of vitamin C was measured in late-ripened cultivar Levent ( P < 0.05). No lycopenes were determined in late-period apricots in contrary to early- and middle-period apricots. Levels of phenolics and flavonoids were measured in all types (3-B-Q-D, procyanidin B1, B2, B3, caffeic acid, gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, epigallocatechine, catechine, epictechine, chlorogenic acid, ferrulic acid, and routine) and statistical deviation of all types was noted ( P < 0.05). Among all, the cultivar Özal showed the highest level of chlorogenic acid (45,843.00 μg·g ⁻¹ dry matter) in all ripening periods, where middle-ripened cultivar Adilcevaz showed the lowest level of p-coumaric acid (7.93 μg·g ⁻¹ dry matter content base).